Putin schedules Russia's 2026 State Duma elections for September 20

Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially set the date for the next State Duma elections. The vote will take place on 20 September 2026, marking the ninth convocation of the 450-member lower house of parliament. Each deputy serves a five-year term once elected. The decree confirms the national election date, but some regions will begin voting earlier. In the Magadan Region, residents will cast ballots over three days, from 18 to 20 September 2026. Early voting for those in remote areas will start even sooner, on 31 August 2026.

Voters in Magadan will receive two ballots: one for their local single-mandate constituency, No. 117, and another for the federal constituency. The region will run a single, unified campaign for the State Duma elections.

Applications for remote electronic voting will open on 4 August 2026. To stand as a candidate, a person must be a Russian citizen aged at least 21 with no foreign citizenship or residency permit. All Russian citizens can vote, regardless of their registered address, if they apply to do so at their current location. The elections will determine the next 450 deputies for a five-year term. Voting will span multiple days in some areas, with provisions for early and remote participation. The process ensures access for citizens across the country, including those in hard-to-reach regions.